Israel’s Housing Ministry announced on Thursday that it has given final final approval to a plan to construct 300 new homes in Jewish East Jerusalem.

This will not be pleasant news to Secretary of State John Kerry, whose efforts to renew Mideast peace talks appear to rely on Jewish homelessness.

The announcement came less than a week after Kerry all but commanded Israel not to engage in any “provocative” actions during his visit to the region.

A U.S. State Department spokeswoman said building the new homes was “counterproductive.”

Palestinian officials accused Israel of undermining the U.S. effort to restart the negotiations.

Last time, in late 2008, negotiations broke down over PM Netanyahu’s refusal to extend a 10-month freeze on construction of Jewish homes in Judea, Samaria and East Jerusalem.

About the Author:JewishPress.com brings you the latest in Jewish news from around the world. Stay up to date by following up on Facebook and Twitter. Do you have something noteworthy to report? Submit your news story to us here.

If you don't see your comment after publishing it, refresh the page.

Our comments section is intended for meaningful responses and debates in a civilized manner. We ask that you respect the fact that we are a religious Jewish website and avoid inappropriate language at all cost.

If you promote any foreign religions, gods or messiahs, lies about Israel, anti-Semitism, or advocate violence (except against terrorists), your permission to comment may be revoked.

4 Responses to “Snubbing Kerry, Israel to Build 300 Units in East Jerusalem”

Even though Kerrey's effort was sure to fail because Abbas' ridiculously high price for starting negotiations is a non starter, Israel should have delayed this move so that it could demonstrate it is acting for peace while Abbas does, t.

Stop Allowing the U.S. to BULLY you, Israel! It's your Country Now. Get the Oil Flowing so that you need no more Financing from the U.S. and they have no more say in the matter. Muslims are living on the land that God Gave You – Not visa-versa.

Drivers of the Jerusalem Light Rail system shut down the trains in a wildcat strike Sunday morning leaving tens of thousands people stranded. The drivers are protesting work conditions and the increased frequency of trains. The Transportation Ministry is deploying hundreds of additional buses to try to overcome the sadden lack of train service. CityPass, […]

Former liberal Democratic New York Congressman Gar Ackerman has come out four-square against the nuclear deal with Iran, Ackerman, who was New York City’s 7th District Congressman for 30 years until 2013 and is 72 years old, has joined the advisory board of Citizens for a Nuclear Free Iran. He stated Friday: While I have […]